More about phones
I've pretty much narrowed things down to the Samsung SYNC SGH-A707 versus the LG CU500. Both are quad-band, world capable, 3.5G phones supporting HSDPA 1.8. The majority of comparison bullet points match, and they'll cost me the same amount with contract renewal.
For the radio geeks out there,1.8 Mbps HSDPA is Category 4, assuming the standard 5-code allocation and QPSK encoding. It's not clear if either phone supports the 16-QAM mode option of Category 4, for increased data rates under good conditions.
On the software side, both phones are on the supported list for Google Maps, and neither is on the list for Opera Mini, but reviews or user reports indicate that it is usable on both.
Interestingly, the LG CU500 seems to get slightly better editor's reviews (but that needs to be balanced against the fact that those reviews are older), but the SGH-A707 seems to get better user ratings. The main points of difference that are potentially relevant to me I've found so far:
Samsung SYNC SGH-A707:
Links:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Samsung_Sync_SGH_A707/4505-6454_7-32143300.html?tag=pdtl-list
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=1063
Points in favor:
* The removable microSD / TransFlash slot is recessed, but accessable; on the CU500, the "removable" media slot is under the battery and requires shutting the phone down and some fiddly disassembly. In effect, on the SGH-A707 it is practical to use the microSD to quickly transfer data (music, pictures, etc.) and as swappable storage, whereas on the CU500 it is more of an internal memory expansion.
* Significantly better main screen: 2.24 inch, 240x320, 18-bit color vs. the CU500's 2.0 inch, 176x220, 16-bit color
* Higher-res camera: 2-megapixel, up to 1600x1200 vs. the CU500's 1.3-megapixel up to 1,280x960
* Tthe SGH-A707 can shoot video clips as long as your storage will hold.
* Built-in full email client
* Built-in (with USB cable) synchronization of calendar and contact info with a PC
* Better address book: 1,000 contacts with a lot more info on each (e.g. multiple email, birthdays, etc.) vs. the CU-500's 500 more simplistic contacts
* Many users have commented that the CU500's ascending volume ring, which cannot be changed to a normal ring, does not get loud enough fast enough, and they miss calls because they don't hear it in time. Several people have said that unlike various other phones they've had, the CU-500 isn't capable of waking them up.
* Many user reviews are annoyed by the excessive beeps and chirps while navigating the interface on the CU-500, which can only be turned off by putting the phone and ringer into fully silent mode. "Not suitable for business use" was one description.
* Several comments in reviews that the hinge on the CU-500 seemed a bit marginal.
Good for LG CU500:
Links:
http://reviews.cnet.com/LG_CU500/4505-6454_7-31987406.html
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=951
http://www.club-java.com/TastePhone/J2ME/MIDP_Java_telephone.jsp?m=497&brand=LG&model=CU500
Points in favor:
* Has standard 2.5mm headset jack, athough under a fiddly little door; the SGH-A707 has a custom interface only (and also under a fiddly little door) and thus requires an adaptor for standard headphones. However, if you're using Bluetooth anyway, this is a moot point.
* Somewhat more flexable camera, with a 180 degree rotation so it can point toward or away from you.
* Somewhat higher-res video clips, 320x240 vs. the SGH-A707's 176x144.
* Built-in simple photo editor (it may be possible to download one for the SGH-A707, though)
* More colorful external / secondary screen. This isn't a big deal as I expect to mostly use the external screen as a clock.
* Slightly longer battery life; this may be caused by the SGH-A707's bigger & brighter screen sucking more power or a difference in how they rate, as both phones seem to come with a 1,100 mAh battery. Nominal 5h vs. 4h talk, both claim 10 day standby.
* Built-in stereo speakers. I'm dubious of the benefits of this, as the stereo seperation is going to be minimal and it probably means the individual speakers are smaller. I expect that if I'm using either phone as a MP3 player I'll be using headphones or external speakers.
* Currently offering a 50% off deal on a South Wing SA505 Bluetooth stereo headphones with CU500 purchase; this wasn't an immediate-buy item, but it is something I am considering getting at some point.
* In store, the CU500 seemed to be *significantly* faster to pull up their Cingular Video gateway, and the salesperson said that they felt the CU500 was faster in general. It's not clear whether the CU500 is doing a better job of getting signal or negotiating protocol in our area (which is not 3G coverage, let alone 3.5G), or whether the CU500 has a faster CPU, or what. It is also possible that this is a configuration issue. This is the big point, really.
In short, the SGH-A707 seems to be a better fit for me for most purposes, but the CU500 may be faster in practice in this area. I'm still debating, but I'm leaning toward getting the SGH-A707 tomorrow, and if I find it seems unacceptably slow I can exchange within 30 days.
I'm currently looking at the Plantronic Explorer 320 Bluetooth headset, which of the locally available options seems to be the one best for extended wear, and is reasonably priced. The Tekkeon EzTalker Mini also looks good from online reviews, but I haven't seen that in person.
For the radio geeks out there,1.8 Mbps HSDPA is Category 4, assuming the standard 5-code allocation and QPSK encoding. It's not clear if either phone supports the 16-QAM mode option of Category 4, for increased data rates under good conditions.
On the software side, both phones are on the supported list for Google Maps, and neither is on the list for Opera Mini, but reviews or user reports indicate that it is usable on both.
Interestingly, the LG CU500 seems to get slightly better editor's reviews (but that needs to be balanced against the fact that those reviews are older), but the SGH-A707 seems to get better user ratings. The main points of difference that are potentially relevant to me I've found so far:
Samsung SYNC SGH-A707:
Links:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Samsung_Sync_SGH_A707/4505-6454_7-32143300.html?tag=pdtl-list
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=1063
Points in favor:
* The removable microSD / TransFlash slot is recessed, but accessable; on the CU500, the "removable" media slot is under the battery and requires shutting the phone down and some fiddly disassembly. In effect, on the SGH-A707 it is practical to use the microSD to quickly transfer data (music, pictures, etc.) and as swappable storage, whereas on the CU500 it is more of an internal memory expansion.
* Significantly better main screen: 2.24 inch, 240x320, 18-bit color vs. the CU500's 2.0 inch, 176x220, 16-bit color
* Higher-res camera: 2-megapixel, up to 1600x1200 vs. the CU500's 1.3-megapixel up to 1,280x960
* Tthe SGH-A707 can shoot video clips as long as your storage will hold.
* Built-in full email client
* Built-in (with USB cable) synchronization of calendar and contact info with a PC
* Better address book: 1,000 contacts with a lot more info on each (e.g. multiple email, birthdays, etc.) vs. the CU-500's 500 more simplistic contacts
* Many users have commented that the CU500's ascending volume ring, which cannot be changed to a normal ring, does not get loud enough fast enough, and they miss calls because they don't hear it in time. Several people have said that unlike various other phones they've had, the CU-500 isn't capable of waking them up.
* Many user reviews are annoyed by the excessive beeps and chirps while navigating the interface on the CU-500, which can only be turned off by putting the phone and ringer into fully silent mode. "Not suitable for business use" was one description.
* Several comments in reviews that the hinge on the CU-500 seemed a bit marginal.
Good for LG CU500:
Links:
http://reviews.cnet.com/LG_CU500/4505-6454_7-31987406.html
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=951
http://www.club-java.com/TastePhone/J2ME/MIDP_Java_telephone.jsp?m=497&brand=LG&model=CU500
Points in favor:
* Has standard 2.5mm headset jack, athough under a fiddly little door; the SGH-A707 has a custom interface only (and also under a fiddly little door) and thus requires an adaptor for standard headphones. However, if you're using Bluetooth anyway, this is a moot point.
* Somewhat more flexable camera, with a 180 degree rotation so it can point toward or away from you.
* Somewhat higher-res video clips, 320x240 vs. the SGH-A707's 176x144.
* Built-in simple photo editor (it may be possible to download one for the SGH-A707, though)
* More colorful external / secondary screen. This isn't a big deal as I expect to mostly use the external screen as a clock.
* Slightly longer battery life; this may be caused by the SGH-A707's bigger & brighter screen sucking more power or a difference in how they rate, as both phones seem to come with a 1,100 mAh battery. Nominal 5h vs. 4h talk, both claim 10 day standby.
* Built-in stereo speakers. I'm dubious of the benefits of this, as the stereo seperation is going to be minimal and it probably means the individual speakers are smaller. I expect that if I'm using either phone as a MP3 player I'll be using headphones or external speakers.
* Currently offering a 50% off deal on a South Wing SA505 Bluetooth stereo headphones with CU500 purchase; this wasn't an immediate-buy item, but it is something I am considering getting at some point.
* In store, the CU500 seemed to be *significantly* faster to pull up their Cingular Video gateway, and the salesperson said that they felt the CU500 was faster in general. It's not clear whether the CU500 is doing a better job of getting signal or negotiating protocol in our area (which is not 3G coverage, let alone 3.5G), or whether the CU500 has a faster CPU, or what. It is also possible that this is a configuration issue. This is the big point, really.
In short, the SGH-A707 seems to be a better fit for me for most purposes, but the CU500 may be faster in practice in this area. I'm still debating, but I'm leaning toward getting the SGH-A707 tomorrow, and if I find it seems unacceptably slow I can exchange within 30 days.
I'm currently looking at the Plantronic Explorer 320 Bluetooth headset, which of the locally available options seems to be the one best for extended wear, and is reasonably priced. The Tekkeon EzTalker Mini also looks good from online reviews, but I haven't seen that in person.